Depigmented haloes associated with the involution of flag warts

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Dermatopathology

Background:

• Flat warts are benign epithelial tumors caused by human papillomavirus.
• Salicylic acid is a common keratolytic agent used for wart treatment.

Observation:

• Two patients developed depigmented haloes around involuting flat warts.
• The warts were treated with a 6% salicylic acid-propylene glycol gel formulation.

Findings:

• The clinical presentation of these haloes was identical to that of halo naevi.
• This suggests a potential association between salicylic acid treatment and halo naevus formation.

Implications:

• The findings may indicate an immune response triggered by wart treatment.
• Further research is needed to confirm the causal relationship and understand the underlying mechanisms.